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| DP Rigathi Gachagua following impeachment proceedings in parliament. |
Employment and Labour Relations Court now wants employees in the office of the impeached DP Rigathi Gachagua to file responses. Justice Hellen Wasilwa said the 108 workers who were allegedly sent on compulsory leave should file their contracts alongside court papers.
According to Business Daily, Wasilwa said the contracts will help in giving the direction for the case. On October 20, 2024, the administrative secretary in the office of the DP ordered the workers to take the compulsory leave, saying it had no legal basis.
Why court want Gachagua’s employee’s contracts Africa Centre for Peace and Human Rights filed a petition in the Employment and Labour Relations Court against the move, claiming it was illegal. The petitioner argued that the direction taken by the state showed that the workers were politically victimised.
Lawyer Lempaa Suiyanka noted that public servants’ employment contracts are not dependent on the regime or political leader they are working for. Wasilwa also directed respondents, including the Public Service Service Commission (PSC) – which the petitioner argues was not consulted, the head of the public service and the attorney general to file responses within seven days.
The case will be mentioned again on November 13, 2024. Kuria claims Gachagua’s staff are from Mathira This follows revelations by senior government economic advisor Moses Kuria, which are perceived to portray Gachagua as unfair in his appointments. In a post shared on X on Friday, October 18, Kuria alleged that 80% of the staff in the Office of the Deputy President are from the Mathira constituency. However, Kuria failed to elaborate on the reasons behind this mass leave that comes days after Gachagua’s ouster.
by Wycliffe Musalia